Kaleidoscope

SACCO’s fledgling Kaleidoscope grew out of Sutton’s Black History Group quarterly magazine.

It showcases members’ writing talent on topics such as South Africa, the economic relationship between Africa and China, Nigeria, Prince Klaas, Ballet Black, Stephen Lawrence, LGBT & masculinity, Walter Tull, Sara Forbes Bonetta, Barack Obama, Naomi Osaka, and modern Jamaica. As sports fans, particularly of our local team the ‘giant killers’ Sutton United, we also regularly include features on black talent in football, cricket and tennis, while our Travels with SACCO articles will take you off to Spain, Jamaica, and Holland.

We are always interested in including memoirs of the migrant experience to Britain from both the Caribbean and Africa, so if you have a life story to tell please do contact us. You are also welcome to contact us if you would like to become a volunteer writer.

View latest Kaleidoscope newsletters below


A Christmas scene with snow on the ground Kaleidoscope

2021 - Christmas Issue

Message from the Chair & the Editor.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of Kaleidoscope. As 2021 draws to a close, most of us will be reflecting on our setbacks and achievements this year. Lockdown was not easy for any of us, least of all for those who lost loved ones. It has been an era of tragedy, but also one where the community has shown innovation, adaptation, resilience and kindness, whether it was helping a neighbour, planning projects to help the community or learning a new skill - things we should be proud of.

Pam’s Christmas message for Kaleidoscope this year is particularly apt; we simply cannot afford to give up hope. Michelle Johnson, a successful author and wellbeing expert, is also on hand with advice on wellbeing over the festive season, while Graham reflects on the topical issue of climate change. Derek may fox you on a question or two in his Big Christmas quiz – a great way to test your knowledge and while away a quiet moment over Christmas!

As we move into the festive season, we would like to thank everyone for supporting SACCO in 2021, whether as members, by attending our various events, or working with/promoting our service. We’ll be raising our glasses to you this Christmas.

If you'd like to receive a hard copy of our quarterly magazine, please hit the 'subscribe to our magazine' button below. 

Cleo Douglas & Ellen Carpenter 


A red and green flower on black background Kaleidoscope

2021 - Black History Month Issue

Message from the Chair and the Editor.

Welcome to the Black History Month 2021 edition of Kaleidoscope. Here at SACCO, our Community Leads Veronica and Ann were busy organizing BHM events reflecting the range of cultural and historical contributions made by African, Caribbean and Black British people. Our colleague Mic Lord’s play Dorothee, exploring the lives of Africans in Sutton in the 1700s, debuted at the Cryerarts Theatre on Saturday 23rd October, whilst Africa's Kings & Queens provided youngsters aged 4-9 with the opportunity to explore African dress and Djembe music. We were delighted to welcome author Dorothy Koomson, who read for us from her latest novel. All members of the community are always welcome at our events – visit our home page to keep up to date with further events, or sign up for our family events notifications.   

In this issue of Kaleidoscope, Graham leads the tributes to the late Jamaican musician producer and general icon Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, whilst SACCO’s Cleo and Gabby review their post-lockdown theatre experiences. 

Cleo Douglas & Ellen Carpenter

Cover Photograph by SACCO's George Brown 


African woman in traditional dress holding a child Kaleidoscope

2021 - April-July

Welcome to SACCO’s summer quarterly edition of Kaleidoscope. As usual, we’ve included our usual choice selection of reflections on issues including lockdown and Windrush, together with two excellent book reviews by SACCO’s Deborah Bell.

For many of us, in fact, lockdown has been a time of personal and professional reflection, and in this edition, we are introducing the first in a series of articles on inspiring black businesses and the people, young and old, determined to succeed in their chosen fields.  From coding to jewellery to cooking, black talent is everywhere, so how best can we utilise it? If you are feeling inspired to strike out on your own, check out our Let’s Talk Business articles, which will include tips on how to manage a business and the qualities needed to succeed in a competitive world.  

We were alarmed to hear of rising conflict and increasing social instability in Ethiopia, and wanted to learn more about what exactly is going on in the region. Fortunately, Kevin Morely, the founder of Saltergate Children’s Home in Ethiopia, is on hand to answer our questions, and what we can do to help, so please do read his gripping Q & A on page 13.

Finally, we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the enormously talented children at Sutton Prep School who contributed to this issue their brilliant illustrations relating to Windrush history. Both insightful and moving, they are a testament to local talent.

Cleo Douglas, Shanique Blake & Ellen Carpenter


painting of green land with a ship offshore Kaleidoscope

2021 - January to March

Welcome to Kaleidoscope. Firstly, we would like to wish all of our readers a happy and safe new year. We understand all the challenges faced during the previous year. Therefore, we would like to assure you that SACCO is here to support the community in any way that it can.

Black History and Black Excellence is all around us 365 days of the year. However, with the pandemic still amongst us and government restrictions SACCO wanted to give you something to look forward to during the months of February and March. As a result, we have an array of online activities for the whole family to participate in. This has been made possible by the hard work of our B.H.M champions with funding from HM Government, in Partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund

In the meantime, in this issue you will find some fantastic articles from members of the community. Madusia King reflects on the growing pains of 2020 while Jessica Brown shares her experience of studying in Jamaica. The talented Graham Hedley explores the aftermath of apartheid in South Africa and so much more content.

Finally, we would like to thank all our readers for their continued support.

Shanique and Cleo Douglas (chair)

Link:

This is the link to our 2021 Jan to March Magazine


Black figure in traditional African dress Kaleidoscope

2020 - October to December

2020 has presented extreme challenges to us all, and as we move into tier 4 here in Greater London, some of us face the prospect of a Christmas without many of our loved ones, although we can take courage from the knowledge that we carry them in our hearts from day to day. 

In this issue, you can read Pam's message of hope at this difficult time, together with an array of colourful and interesting articles to distract us from the gloomy winter weather and the difficulties of lockdown. Always keen to promote the work of talented artists, this quarter's cover image is entitled 'Maasai Woman' and was painted by SACCO member Scherin Massey Barlow. You can read all about Scherin's lifelong love of art in her entertaining article below. We are also delighted to introduce Gabby and Mariella, two new talented young writers who have written articles on Black Excellence and Diversity, while Paulette and Margaret offer two contrasting perspectives on the migrant experience, from emigrating from Yorkshire to Grenada and from Guyana to England. Graham concludes his series on the history of Zambia and Zimbabwe, while SACCO's Deborah reports back on an online event with the writer Alex Wheatle. If you have any queries about the Flu vaccine this year (although overshadowed by the recent introduction of the COVID Vaccine) please do check out the article below written by our friendly NHS community outreach team. 

We wish everyone a peaceful and healthy Christmas....Here's to 2021 being a better year for us all.

The Editors